Category Archives: Obituaries

Lucille Marie Williamson was born on Feb. 28, 1925, in Jefferson, SD to Napoleon and Florence (Trudeau) Bertrand.

Lucille was married on Oct. 28, 1950 to James “Tiny” Williamson. They have five children.

Lucille liked to read, sew, crochet, and grow a big garden. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to fish with her son and special friend Bob.

Lucille worked at the City Liquor Store in Gregory and numerous cafe’s in Winner throughout her life.

Lucille was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.

Lucille passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility at the age of 92.

Lucille is survived by her two daughters Barbara and Duane Holmberg, Golden, MO,
and Bonnie and Ronald Teigh, Winner, SD; two sons James and Jean Williamson, Luverne, MN, and Doug and Jami Williamson, Rapid City, SD; sixteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Preceding her in death are her husband James “Tiny” Williamson, one son Donald Williamson Sr., her parents Napoleon and Florence Bertrand, two brothers Armond and Romeo, and one sister Leetta.

Mary Williams, age 84 of Sioux Falls, formerly Winner, SD, passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 at Dougherty Hospice House. Family greeted friends 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm Friday Aug. 11, at Miller Southside Chapel 7400. S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held 1:30 pm Saturday, Aug. 12, at United Methodist Church Winner, SD.

Mary Louise (Thiede) Williams was born Sept. 29th, 1932 near Burton Neb. to William and Doris (Donneaud) Thiede. Mary was the second daughter of four, Ruth Williams, Ruby Richardson deceased), and Kathy Titus.

Mary attended a one room school near the Thiede farm. Then she attended and graduated from Springview Nebraska High School class of 1950. Five days after graduation Mr. Lillibridge from the Burke bank drove down to her parent’s house and asked her to work there since she knew shorthand. After two and a half years she wanted to use her scholarship that she had received and enrolled in Wayne State. While attending Wayne State she saw her future husband playing drums at a dance in Wewela. During intermission he came down and bought her a sandwich. She said it was love at first sight and said it was hard to go back and finish at Wayne State, but she did and then worked in Winner for Bill Assman.

On Aug. 25th 1954 she married the “drummer” in a double wedding with her sister Ruth marrying Eldon’s brother Jim. The four of them lived and worked on the William’s family ranch. Mary and Eldon worked side by side in everything then did, she was the best “hired man” and band roadie he could have ever had. They worked hard all week then hit the road on Saturday nights to wherever the Rhythm Ramblers were playing.

Mary was very active at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Clearfield and so many other community events, The Clearfield Hall and Farmers Union. The four Williams also started Williams Seed Corn and mom loved operating the forklift to load orders. She also taught at several one room country schools. She knew so much about so many things. She worked outside all the time yet had a huge garden and canned anything she could fit in a jar. She kept the smoke house stocked, and wired the new addition to the house in the seventies. She could weld and put a new motor in her dish washer like it was nothing. She would work side by side with Eldon and walk in and have huge meal ready in minutes. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and embroidery. She nursed many a calf back to health and could drive tractors, silage trucks and of course her four-wheeler. After many years of using horses, Mary and Eldon enjoyed their four-wheelers. She loved the outdoors, she was a great teacher, mentor and was very strong in her faith.

She was a wonderful Mom to her three children, David (Janice), Mitchell, SD, Eileen (Tom) Donley, Sioux Falls, SD and Michael (Deb), Sioux Falls, SD, grandchildren, Christopher (Mandy) Williams, Sophia and Sawyer, Plankinton, SD, Nicole (Nic) Norton, Jackson, Juliet, Oliver, Kearney NE, Luke (Sara) Williams, Ames, IA. She is also survived by her sisters, Ruth Williams, White Lake, SD, and Kathy Titus, Springview, NE; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eldon, her parents, parent’s in-law, her sister, Ruby Richardson, and her brothers in-law, James Williams, Elmer Richardson Howard and Titus. www.millerfh.com

Colleen Flynn was born on March 23, 1952, in Orange, CA, to John P. “Pat” and Frances (Gassen) Flynn. The daughter of a Marine Corps aviator, she lived in many different places and attended many different schools before her family settled in Gregory in 1966. Colleen attended Gregory High School where she excelled in music and enjoyed the companionship of her classmates. After graduating from high school in 1970, she attended Northern State College where she sharpened her saxophone skills and earned a degree in music education. After serving two years as the band director at Andes Central High School, Colleen entered Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA, where she was a member of the historic first class of women candidates who trained side-by-side with men.

Colleen was commissioned as a Marine Corps second lieutenant in 1976 and for the next 22 years served as an aviation supply officer. She rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and in the process she received numerous awards and commendations for her professionalism and expertise. Many of Colleen’s fondest memories were of the adventures she had with her daughter Megan while they were stationed at bases throughout the United States and in Okinawa.

After retiring from the Marines in 1998, Colleen moved home to Gregory where she cared for her mother and daughter and involved herself in a wide variety of church and civic activities. She served as the Gregory High School band director for one year and taught piano lessons to local youth. She contributed greatly to the spiritual life of St. Joseph Church by initiating, leading, and participating in many church ministries to the benefit of the parishioners. Colleen also did volunteer work for the Republican Party of South Dakota.

Colleen’s last professional assignment was as the reporter for the Gregory Times-Advocate, a position she held until her death. She loved working with the newspaper’s staff and with community members and took seriously her role as the chronicler of Gregory lives and Gregory events.

For all of her professional and community activities, the center of Colleen’s life remained her daughter Megan, her son-in-law Matt, and, especially, her grandchildren, Jaxson and Eva. Colleen was a wonderful mother and very active grandmother who was always seen at events involving her grandson Jaxson.

Colleen passed away suddenly on July 17, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. She was 65.

Jerry attended Kirkwood Country School north of Newport, Neb. and later graduated from Rock County High School in 1973. On a cold night in December of 1974, he met the love of his life, Peggy Cerv at a dance in Carlock, South Dakota. It took Jerry two years to get the nerve to ask Peg to marry him and she said yes. They were married on Oct. 29, 1976 at Bassett Neb. They moved south of Valentine, Neb. where Jerry and Peggy worked on the Neil Hanna Cattle Co. Ranch for 14 years. Jerry enjoyed working for Dick Hanna, a man who is credited for teaching him how to be a perfectionist and the “ins and outs” of ranching to make Jerry the fine cattleman he was. Jerry and Peggy were soon blessed with four children. Clint was born July 23, 1977 and a year and three days later on July 26, 1978, twin girls Kristy and Kasey were born. In September of 1980, Jerry and his three kids were baptized by Pastor Stan Ostergen at Thedford, Neb. Oct. 13, 1981 brought their second and final son Corey.

In September of 1990, Jerry and Peggy moved to Burton Neb. where Jerry worked for, and managed the Madeline Thiede Ranch for ten years until 2000. Jerry worked for two short years for local ranchers until July of 2002 when Jerry and Peggy had the opportunity to manage the Lazy AB Ranch for about two years. In May of 2004, Jerry and Peggy began leasing the ranch, and over the next ten years they raised and sold the finest Black Angus cattle in North Central Nebraska.

In January of 2015, Jerry and Peggy were forced to retire from the cattle industry and sell the herd. They decided to semi retire and bought a small acreage northeast of Long Pine, Neb. This left time for traveling and spending some lazy days together. Jerry was able to fulfill a lifetime dream of his, to go fishing in Canada. He and his all time favorite fishing buddy, Curt Luther made the trip to Canada in May 2015. Jerry had a hard time “not being busy,” so he and Peggy decided to go into the cedar tree removal business. He stayed busy with this during certain times of the year. He still had time for the grandkids and helping his children with jobs and tasks that required dad’s special expertise and assistance.

On October of 2016, Jerry and Peggy celebrated their 40th Anniversary with close family and friends. In January of 2017, Jerry had his final equipment sale and took a nice long vacation with Peg, Corey, and brother-in-law, Alan Williams, to California to visit family and site see. Shortly there after Jerry’s health began to change and he was diagnosed on March 17, 2017 with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumor. As usual, Jerry chose to stand strong and fight with the support of family and friends. After four short months and a well fought fight, Jerry passed away in the Brown County Hospital at Ainsworth, Nebraska on July 17 2017, surrounded by his family.

Fred Thomas Laprath was born on Dec. 14, 1933 on his parent’s farm in Tripp County, South Dakota. He was the son of Hans Thomas Laprath and Frieda Christiana Manke. Fred was baptized in the Lutheran Church.

He spent his early childhood in Idaho where his family resided during the Great Depression and World War II period. In 1945, the family returned to the Dallas, SD area where his family established their home, farm and cattle operation.

He attended Dallas High School. Fred left high school before his senior year to serve his nation in the Army as an infantryman in the 10th Mountain Division while stationed in Germany during the Cold War.

Following his military service, Fred spent the rest of his working life farming south of Dallas on his farm or helping his brothers work cattle and hay on their parent’s farm. He was independent-minded, bachelor farmer who loved his farm and his cows. His family and neighbors will long remember his farm with its great assortment of animals. Fred’s pastime enjoyment included fishing, visiting family and neighbors and telling stories.

Glenn “Dale” Wendt was born on Aug. 13, 1931 to Theodore William Wendt & Hulda Marie “Galinat” Wendt/Luedtke on the Wendt homestead in Hoskins, Neb. He attended rural school district 49 in Wayne Co. through 8th grade. He then attended 1 year of high school at Hoskins & had to quit when his brothers went to war, to help his mom on the farm & later attained his GED. He eventually became a manager at Gambles Stores in Norfolk, McCook, Broken Bow, Fremont, York, & Valentine, Neb. After Gambles closed, he became a Century Welder salesman and eventually opened his own shop in Valentine. On May 25t 1953, he married Marie Evelyn “Gillaspie” & to this union 4 children were born- Bonnie, Arjean, Chuck, & Janet.

Due to complications from a stroke, Dale entered the Pine View Nursing Home in November of 2007 & remained there until his death. He was considered the greeter there as he always had a “Hello” for everybody. Dale was a long time member of the Valentine Sheriff’s possee & the Volunteer Fire Dept. Dale’s hobbies were golfing, fishing, camping and traveling a lot & made the most out of everything he did.

Marilynn L. Vesely, Age 87, of Riverside, Calif, formally of Winner, passed away on June 29, 2017 at Riverside Raincross Senior Living.

She was born on April 27, 1930 in Kennebec and had lived in Riverside for 55 years, previously in Moser through grade school, Winner through high school, Vermillion through college where she obtained a BA and Master’s of Arts Degree and Pine Ridge until 1962. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pine Ridge teaching until 1962, BIA Sherman Indian School as a counselor and owner of Arlington Business & Tax Service until 2015. She was a federal enrolled agent. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Riverside.

“Ves” as she was affectionately called, never married, but she “adopted” several children into her heart who think of her as their mother: Yvonne Shields, Penny Giago and Gary Fredericks. They will sorely miss her.

Vernon was born on August 13, 1977 in Dallas, Texas, to Vernon Lopez Sr. and Vonna La Pointe Lopez. Vernon was their second child born out of six children. Vernon enjoyed his childhood in Winner, South Dakota, getting involved in everything from Boy Scouts to pitching hard ball in the leagues. He earned the nick name “Smoke” from his baseball comrades for his excellent pitching skill. He also had a nickname “Brother” from his older sister, which he carried for life as everyone called him “Brother”. Vernon made many close friends and relatives in life who said he was a brother to them. Growing up Vernon always worked to help his family and acquire his vehicles he loved to work on as his father taught him mechanics.

Vernon graduated from Winner High School and was the youngest in his class at the age of 17 years. He moved to California shortly after and has resided on the Santa Ysabel Reservation, where he is a tribal member. Vernon returned home to South Dakota at times and participated in his traditional ceremonies. He was a Sun Dancer and Singer. Vernon was employed last by the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel as Water Master. He took care of their water system with his great math skills and great pride. Vernon was a single parent to his two beautiful children. He loved them with all his heart and would do anything for them. He and his children were waiting for a new home. He was so excited and grateful for their home which he witnessed the preparations for arrival, days before his passing. The new home brought such joy and happiness to him.

In the days before his passing he received so much love by his family and friends through prayers and concern. When he passed away so many shared such beautiful memories and loving words about him. He was a humble man and a loving father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, loved and respected by all. He will be greatly missed.

Russell Whitley, age 81, passed away with his family by his side on June 26, 2017, at his home in Winner, SD.

Russell Oliver Whitley was born on April 23, 1936 in Burke, SD. Russ was the eldest of 5 children born to Oliver (Spec) and Dorthy (Ticknor) Whitley. Russ attended school in Nebraska and graduated from Naper High School. At the age of 15 he had his first job hauling propane for his dad. He then worked road construction in the summers and hauled propane in the winters. On Oct. 29, 1954, Russ married his life partner & high school sweetheart Sandra Jons in Bonesteel, SD. They were blessed with 4 daughters and 1 son. In 1962 Russ and Sandy moved to Burke where Russ began his career in the beer business, first as a semidriver for B & M Distributing then into the management position where their joint careers in the beer business began. Russ also was the first paid Deputy Sheriff for Gregory Countys. In 1967 B & M Distributing sold to Ober Torvik of Pierre. He moved the business to Winner and renamed it Torvik Distributing, managed by Russ (selling only Hamm’s and Falstaff and eventually Miller brands). This is also the same time that Russ moved his family to Winner. In 1969, Myron and Mable Kusler of Pierre, bought Torvik Distributing renaming it Whitley Central Distributing, still managed by Russ. In 1973 Russ and Sandy became the proud owners of Whitley Central Distributing, leaving the name the same. Also in 1973, Pabst brands were added. 1974, G. Heileman brands were added. In 1978 they purchased Nesbitt Bottling Co. acquiring the Schlitz brands. In 1982, Whitley Central Dist. became the first Coors Distributor appointed in the state of SD. In 2000, Mikes Hard Lemonade brands were added and 2001, Smirnoff brands were added. Through the years more brands were added including many imports, water, pop, and meat snacks.

He was a past President of the South Dakota Beer Wholesalers Association May 1, 2008, Russ and Sandy sold the business to Jerome Beverage in Pierre and retired after 46 years in the beer business.

Russ and Sandy enjoyed camping and traveling and spending time following their grandchildren to all their sporting events. They travelled to most of the states including Alaska and Hawaii and also traveled abroad to the Bahamas, Mediterranean, Turkey, Italy, Venice, and Greece.

Russ joined the Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. on Aug. 1, 1968 and served tirelessly for 28 years, 6 of those years serving as Assistant Fire Chief. After the sale of the beer businesses and retirement in 2008 of which Russ enjoyed immensely he continued serving by becoming a volunteer to drive veterans to doctor appointments to various parts of the state. Russ did this until a year ago when his health kept him from doing so.

Russ was also a member of the WELS Synods of various Lutheran Churches in Nebraska and South Dakota.

On June 27 we said goodbye to our husband, father and best friend. Mike was surrounded by the four people who meant the most to him his wife Jodi, his daughters Megan Lehmkuhl and Molle Palmer and his son Merlin Schwinler when he decided he was ready to see his parents again.

Mike did not want a service.  He did ask that everyone have a drink and remember the good times we all had with him.

The family will have a private get together at a later date.